Short summary (one line): International students at Arizona State University (ASU) in 2025 should expect to pay non-resident/international tuition that is higher than resident rates, varies by level (undergraduate vs graduate), by credit load, and by program (some professional programs have program-specific pricing). Use ASU’s tuition estimator to get an exact number for your program and term.
1) What “international tuition” at ASU means (quick orientation)
- International / non-resident students pay the non-resident (out-of-state) tuition rate plus mandatory university fees; some programs add program or college fees on top of that. The university publishes tuition schedules by term and a Tuition Estimator you should use for a precise calculation for your program and campus.
- ASU’s published cost-of-attendance figures are calculated assuming full-time enrollment (12 credits/semester for undergraduates; 9 credits/semester for graduate students) unless otherwise noted — many line items and “annual” totals are derived from that. If you enroll part-time, costs are pro-rated.
2) 2025 headline numbers (what the official pages show)
Below are the load-bearing numbers pulled from ASU’s official schedules and catalog for the 2025 academic cycle (fall/spring/summer pages and the Board-approved tuition PDF). These are the correct sources to consult when you need official confirmation.
- International undergraduate (full-time, 12 credits) — ASU lists international undergraduate tuition and fees in per-credit / total tables by credit band. Example fall 2025 banded totals show international undergraduate tuition scaling with credits; the catalog gives discrete totals for 3, 6, 9, 12 credits etc. (see the “Fall 2025 International Undergraduate” schedule for exact banded totals). Use the Tuition Estimator for your exact program/college fee.
- International graduate (full-time, 9 credits) — ASU’s graduate cost examples (and the Cost of Attendance pages) show base tuition lines and sample total cost-of-attendance figures. For 2025–26, ASU lists base tuition examples and also the graduate student support fee and student-initiated fees in the published schedules.
- Base per-credit changes — The Arizona Board-approved tuition schedule that covers 2025–26 shows modest increases in the base per-credit tuition (for example, the graduate tuition per credit is shown rising from the previous year). For official per-credit numbers and percentage changes, consult the Board-approved PDF
- Important: ASU publishes multiple term/season tables (spring, summer, fall) because per-credit totals and surcharge rules differ slightly by term and by whether you exceed statutory “excess hours” thresholds. Always check the specific term (Fall 2025, Spring 2025, Summer 2025) in the ASU catalog.
3) How ASU presents tuition: the pieces that make up your bill
When estimating what you will pay, combine these components (all are visible on ASU online pages and in the catalog):
- Base tuition (tuition per credit or flat full-time amount) — different for undergraduate vs graduate; resident vs nonresident/international.
- Tuition surcharge — small per-credit surcharge that appears in some term tables and is listed separately in the schedule.
- College/program fees (undergraduate college fee, professional program differentials) — varies by college (e.g., Barrett honors fee, some professional programs have additional fees).
- Student-initiated fees and mandatory fees — student governments, activity fees, athletics fee, etc. These are itemized in the catalog and the Tuition & Fees schedule.
- Graduate student support fee — for graduate students there is often a support fee per credit.
- Program-specific tuition — some master’s programs (e.g., W. P. Carey Business, certain engineering or executive degrees, Thunderbird programs) list a program or cohort price rather than pure per-credit billing. Check the program page for that program’s published total program cost.
4) Examples and banded totals (how to read ASU’s catalog tables)
ASU’s catalog gives banded totals for international students: rather than only a single “per-credit” line, it shows the tuition and fee total for 1, 2, …, 12+ credits so you can read the total for the credit load you plan to take.
- Example (illustrative extracted pattern from the Fall 2025 catalog): the table lists the International Undergraduate Tuition totals by credit band (e.g., 3 credits → $1,550; 6 credits → $3,100; 9 credits → $4,650; 12 credits → $6,200 — these are table examples, check the catalog for your college). Totals include listed surcharge and college fees where applicable. Always cross-check the exact row for your planned credits and college.
- For graduate summer terms the catalog also publishes per-credit (and cumulative) tables specific to Summer 2025 — useful if you plan to take summer courses as an international graduate student.
5) Cost of attendance (beyond tuition) — what to budget for 2025
ASU publishes cost-of-attendance (COA) tables that combine tuition + fees with estimated living costs. Key lines to expect:
- On-campus housing & food — ASU’s COA example lists on-campus housing and meals (e.g., figures such as ~$20,000+ per year are shown in sample graduate/undergraduate COA entries — these are estimates and vary by housing choice).
- Books, supplies, transportation, personal — normally several thousand dollars per year in the COA.
- Health insurance — international students are typically required to have health insurance; ASU lists insurance requirements and published charges if you enroll in the student plan. (Check ASU Health Services / International Student Services for exact policy and cost.)
- Putting it together: many external guides and ASU’s own examples show that when tuition + housing + living costs are combined, an international undergraduate or graduate full-time student should expect a total COA in the tens of thousands of dollars per academic year (the exact number depends on program and housing choices). Use ASU’s official Cost of Attendance calculator for a tailored estimate.
6) Financial aid, scholarships, and ways international students reduce cost
- ASU scholarships for international students: ASU offers a limited set of merit scholarships to admitted international undergraduates and some graduate programs offer assistantships (TA/RA) or fellowships. Eligibility and availability vary by college and program; consult the program page and ASU International Student Services.
- Graduate assistantships and tuition remission: many graduate students (especially in research-oriented master’s/PhD programs) receive assistantships that include tuition remission and a stipend — check your specific department.
- Payment plans and international wire/electronic payment options — ASU Student Accounts provides payment plan options and international payment instructions; use those resources if you need to spread payments.
7) Immigration / visa context that can affect budgets and planning (policy matters)
- In 2024–2025 there have been policy and administrative changes at the federal level affecting student visas, visa interview availability, and timing of visa issuance. These disruptions can affect arrival dates, the timing of tuition payments, or the ability to start on-campus programs on schedule — which in turn can affect housing contracts and overall cost. Universities (including ASU) have publicly stated they’re monitoring these developments. If you rely on international travel/visa timing, build contingency into your timeline and budget.
8) Step-by-step: how to find the exact tuition for your program (recommended)
- Open ASU’s Tuition Estimator / Cost of Attendance page and select year/term, campus, and program. That tool applies college fees and program differentials.
- If you’re in a professionally-priced program (e.g., some W. P. Carey MBA tracks, Thunderbird or specialized master’s), check the program page for a program total—those programs sometimes publish a single “program price” rather than only per-credit billing.
- Add housing, insurance, books and personal expenses from the Cost of Attendance table to build your full budget.
9) Quick FAQ (common questions)
Q — Is “international tuition” a single flat amount at ASU?
A — No. ASU uses per-credit charges and banded totals by credit load and lists additional fees by program/college. Some professional programs show program pricing. Always check the exact table or program page.
Q — Do international students pay more than domestic non-residents?
A — International students are billed the non-resident rate and any international-specific fees; program differentials may apply equally to non-resident and international students depending on the program. Verify with the Tuition Estimator.
Q — Where can I get an official PDF or schedule?
A — ASU’s Catalog Tuition & Fees schedules and the Arizona Board-approved base tuition PDF publish the official figures and are the authoritative sources for term-by-term approved tuition and mandatory fees.